Clermont Manor
Encyclopedia
The Clermont State Historic Site, also known as the Clermont estate, the Clermont Manor or just Clermont, is a New York
State Historic Site in southwestern Columbia County, New York
, USA. It protects
the former estate of the Livingston family, seven generations of whom lived on the site during more than two centuries.
and was inspired by the view of the Catskill Mountains
across the Hudson River
from the estate.
The estate was established by Robert Livingston
following the death of his father, the first Lord of Livingston Manor
, in 1728; while most of the manor was inherited by the eldest son Philip Livingston
, 13000 acres (5,260.9 ha) in the southwest corner, later named Clermont, was willed to Robert.
In October 1777, British Major General
John Vaughan, who led a raiding party up the Hudson River, came to Clermont and burned Livingston's home because of his prominent role in the American Revolution
. Margaret Beekman Livingston rebuilt the family home between 1779 and 1782. Her son Robert R. Livingston
became the estate's most prominent resident, serving as a member of the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence
, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and negotiator of the Louisiana Purchase
.
In 1807, Livingstone was a partner with Robert Fulton
, creating the first commercially successful steamboat
on the Hudson river, the North River Steamboat
(later known as the Clermont), which stopped at the house on its inaugural trip.
The house is now a New York State Historic Site and was designated a United States National Historic Landmark in 1972., It is a contributing property
to another National Historic Landmark, the Hudson River Historic District
.
Although located in the town of Clermont, its mailing address is in the nearby town of Germantown
.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
State Historic Site in southwestern Columbia County, New York
Columbia County, New York
Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 63,096. The county seat is Hudson. The name comes from the Latin feminine form of the name of Christopher Columbus, which was at the time of the formation of the county a popular proposal...
, USA. It protects
the former estate of the Livingston family, seven generations of whom lived on the site during more than two centuries.
History
The name Clermont derives from "clear mountain" in FrenchFrench language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and was inspired by the view of the Catskill Mountains
Catskill Mountains
The Catskill Mountains, an area in New York State northwest of New York City and southwest of Albany, are a mature dissected plateau, an uplifted region that was subsequently eroded into sharp relief. They are an eastward continuation, and the highest representation, of the Allegheny Plateau...
across the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
from the estate.
Robert Livingston (1688-1775)
Robert Livingston of New York, known as Robert of Clermont, son of Robert Livingston the Elder and father of Robert Livingston . He married Margaret Howarden in 1717...
following the death of his father, the first Lord of Livingston Manor
Livingston Manor
This article contains information related to Livingston Manor, the 18th century New York estate. Livingston Manor, New York is a town in Sullivan County...
, in 1728; while most of the manor was inherited by the eldest son Philip Livingston
Philip Livingston (1686-1749)
Philip Livingston was an American politician.He was born in Albany, New York in his father's town house. Upon the death of his father, Robert Livingston the Elder, he became the Secretary of Indian Affairs, as well as the second Lord of Livingston Manor. He was a member of the Provincial Council...
, 13000 acres (5,260.9 ha) in the southwest corner, later named Clermont, was willed to Robert.
In October 1777, British Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
John Vaughan, who led a raiding party up the Hudson River, came to Clermont and burned Livingston's home because of his prominent role in the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. Margaret Beekman Livingston rebuilt the family home between 1779 and 1782. Her son Robert R. Livingston
Robert Livingston (1746-1813)
Robert R Livingston was an American lawyer, politician, diplomat from New York, and a Founding Father of the United States. He was known as "The Chancellor," after the office he held for 25 years....
became the estate's most prominent resident, serving as a member of the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence
Declaration of independence
A declaration of independence is an assertion of the independence of an aspiring state or states. Such places are usually declared from part or all of the territory of another nation or failed nation, or are breakaway territories from within the larger state...
, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and negotiator of the Louisiana Purchase
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition by the United States of America of of France's claim to the territory of Louisiana in 1803. The U.S...
.
In 1807, Livingstone was a partner with Robert Fulton
Robert Fulton
Robert Fulton was an American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat...
, creating the first commercially successful steamboat
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
on the Hudson river, the North River Steamboat
North River Steamboat
The North River Steam Boat or Clermont was the first commercially successful steamship of the paddle steamer design. It operated on the Hudson River between New York and Albany...
(later known as the Clermont), which stopped at the house on its inaugural trip.
The house is now a New York State Historic Site and was designated a United States National Historic Landmark in 1972., It is a contributing property
Contributing property
In the law regulating historic districts in the United States, a contributing resource or contributing property is any building, structure, or object which adds to the historical integrity or architectural qualities that make the historic district, listed locally or federally, significant...
to another National Historic Landmark, the Hudson River Historic District
Hudson River Historic District
The Hudson River Historic District, also known as Hudson River Heritage Historic District, is the largest such district on the mainland of the contiguous United States...
.
Although located in the town of Clermont, its mailing address is in the nearby town of Germantown
Germantown (town), New York
Germantown is a town in Columbia County, New York, United States. The population was 2,018 at the 2000 census.The Town of Germantown is located in the southwest part of the county.- History :...
.
Further Reading
- Great Houses of the Hudson River, Michael Middleton DwyerMichael Middleton DwyerMichael Middleton Dwyer is an architect practicing in New York City known for renovating historic structures and designing new ones in traditional vocabularies. He is also a writer of architectural history who was the editor of Great Houses of the Hudson River and author of Carolands...
, editor, with preface by Mark RockefellerMark RockefellerMark Fitler Rockefeller is a fourth-generation member of the Rockefeller family. He is the youngest son of Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller and Happy Rockefeller...
, Boston, MA: Little, Brown and CompanyLittle, Brown and CompanyLittle, Brown and Company is a publishing house established by Charles Coffin Little and his partner, James Brown. Since 2006 it has been a constituent unit of Hachette Book Group USA.-19th century:...
, published in association with Historic Hudson ValleyHistoric Hudson ValleyHistoric Hudson Valley is a not-for-profit educational and historic preservation organization headquartered in Tarrytown, New York, in Westchester County...
, 2001. ISBN 082122767X.
External links
- Clermont State Historic Site
- New York State Historic Sites: Clermont
- The Clermont Estate
- Revolutionary War Heritage Trail: Clermont State Historic Site
- Clermont (20 measured drawings) and
- Livingston Farmhouse, at Clermont (2 photos), at Historic American Buildings SurveyHistoric American Buildings SurveyThe Historic American Buildings Survey , Historic American Engineering Record , and Historic American Landscapes Survey are programs of the National Park Service established for the purpose of documenting historic places. Records consists of measured drawings, archival photographs, and written...